Mall bomb plot suspect to stay in federal custody

ROCKFORD — A man accused of plotting to plant grenades in garbage cans at a mall near Rockford will remain in federal custody as he awaits indictment.

Derrick Shareef, 22, appeared at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Wednesday, two days before authorities said he had planned to carry out his attack at the CherryVale Shopping Center.

Shareef waived a preliminary hearing on a complaint filed against him earlier this month. His attorney, Michael Mann, said Shareef had no immediate plans to seek bail.

Case documents describe Shareef as a Muslim convert seeking jihad against the U.S. He came into contact with a federal informant, who to link Shareef to an undercover agent who swapped dud grenades with Shareef for a set of stereo speakers, prosecutors said.

Shareef was not associated with any international groups and the public was never in danger, authorities said.